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An MPR News live chat

We've been asking for feedback at mpr.org for a few weeks. Here's what one listener said: "Please, please make an effort to devote at least an hour each day to news that is NOT politics.

"Talk to artists, scientists, writers, business people, cooks, etc., that are passionate about their work! Talk to everyday people who are doing amazing work in their communities. Make this a program about the great tapestry of Minnesota."

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 3:25:29 PM

Looking forward to the “Daily Circuit”. My only suggestion would be to eliminate the local news breaks at 20 & 40 past the hr.; it breaks the rhythm of the show and it is usually a repeat of the hourly news.

by Pelirrojo112/7/2012 4:00:40 PM

Kerri Miller is a Minnesota Politics rock star. I hope there will be more of a local focus and less obscure east coast egghead intellectuals. There are plenty of local egghead intellectuals and ignoring them makes us all feel inferior.

by Jikky Jack2/7/2012 4:23:23 PM

It's a tiny thing, but what about getting rid of saying the local number during call-in shows? The 800 number works for everyone, and not saying the local number would free up more time for news and conversation.

by Adam2/7/2012 4:44:32 PM

@Adam We have to keep em all or we wouldn't have enough phone lines open. Only 2 people would be able to be on the line at once.

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 4:46:20 PM

Tristan on Facebook said, "Find some better intro music. Those horns are grating on the nerves."

Ed note: Program director Steve Nelson is leading the hunt for a new theme and music beds for the show. Send us ideas. Share em here.

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 4:47:28 PM

Tom Weber, at the ready.

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 4:58:31 PM

@Pelirrojo11 - It's a great comment - I will be manning the 20/40 newscasts and we're looking for ways to integrate them in ways that keep the flow. Our hope is to NOT have that rhythm-breaker you noted.

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:00:29 PM

From an listener email that arri8ved earlier this week. Tom, can you respond?

"I have always thought that MPR was missing someone who can give a smart update on the local sports scene and the business of sports. I am thinking about someone who is a cross between Aaron Gleeman, Nate Silver, Chuck Klosterman and Paul Huttner. Instead of just giving last night's score, maybe offering up how many wins the Gopher BBall team needs to make the NCAA, or how the new collective bargaining agreement affected Love's contract offer or how Prince Fielder's signing in Detroit affects the Twins need to get Mauer and Morneau healthy or why Minneapolis wants to upgrade the Target Center by 2020 due to the Wolves lease expiring. I know there is a glut of sports talk in this market, but there is a need for an MPR-style analysis on-air and blog."

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 5:02:29 PM

Can we start with why a new show is really needed? As described so far, this Daily Circuit show sounds like a terrible idea--fixing something that isn't broke. I fear that this new format could ruin MPR for me--not good timing for an upcoming fund drive. The recent Friday "panel discussions" have been especially awful--please don't do this!!

by Jasper2/7/2012 5:05:39 PM

@Stephanie Curtis, MPR News Yes, I do anticipate my range will anticipate exactly what that email seeks: A smart look at sports, when warranted. I agree w/ the listener's email and hope to accomplish some of that in the new show

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:05:40 PM

@jasper We're experimenting with some new things. I've heard good feedback and some suggestions for guests. We'll see where it goes.

Q for Tom & Kerri: What vibe do you want to achieve with Daily Circuit in contrast to the shows it's replacing? How will this be an evolution in radio programming -- not just for MPR but among the larger radio sphere?

by thatmags2/7/2012 5:07:21 PM

@thatmags Our hope is to be just as in-depth as before, but with a more conversational vibe. We feel we can add elements beyond the traditional 'one host, one guest' format that will *add* to the discussion, not distract from it.

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:09:04 PM

From an earlier email: "More science, and in depth science, all sciences. Regular features with scientists working at institutions in the state would be very welcome. Ditto, more art, literature, and culture. In depth and breadth. More history to wit, put current events in a long-view historical context. Less repetition. Less repetition."

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 5:09:08 PM

We hear you loud and clear! At the moment--I'm reading books about physics, astrophysics and the social science of introverts. You can count on a lot more science.

by Kerri Miller, The Daily...2/7/2012 5:09:58 PM

@Kerri: But why the experimentation? Why now? Are people really clamoring for this...or is it boredom the newsroom? Moreover, why does experimentation mean a full overhaul of programming? Couldn't a circumspect approach be taken? It seems like change for the sake of change. Look at the Komen Foundation; that doesn't always work out well!

by Jasper2/7/2012 5:11:23 PM

Jenzi, on FB also hopes for more science, and she likes the Friday roundtable and would like to hear more about MN history. A great idea, Jenzi. She also asks 'that you please at least keep the 11 AM hour of the Daily Circuit very similar to the way Midday was, with much of the focus on politics and public policy (especially with a local slant).'

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:11:43 PM

Oh--the comparison to the Komen contro hurts, Jasper. I've heard from several dozen listeners--via email and Twitter--that they like it. And, Jasper--what are we all doing here if not taking a few risks?? I appreciate the feedback, tho. Keep it comin'.

by Kerri Miller, The Daily...2/7/2012 5:12:57 PM

Could you elaborate on how Kerri and Tom's roles will be divvied up?

by Ian2/7/2012 5:13:21 PM

From an earlier email: "I believe you should capitalize on the availability of the folks at the current and bring music in more, bumper music, live music, all the above."

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 5:13:56 PM

When interviewing an expert guest, allow the guest to express his or her views without editorial comments. Also, allow more time for callers for the live interview shows. Since this is a Presidential election year, focus on the issues of the day, daily!

by Pat2/7/2012 5:14:26 PM

@Ian -- Kerri will maintain her role as host during our in-depth segments; we'll have one in-depth segment each hour. I will present news updates throughout the hour (which we do now), and also original reporting. For example, you might hear a story from me about topic X, where I've gone out and gathered field sound, et al -- and that leads into a larger discussion about topic X.

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:14:47 PM

Your name has so much pun potential. When you answer the phone, will you say things like "You're plugged in to The Circuit"? Or will you end the show with "The Circuit has been completed"?

by Andy2/7/2012 5:14:54 PM

You're right on. We're working on a bi-weekly segment with Current folks about the music they're listening to. Expect to hear them more often on The Daily Circuit.

by Kerri Miller, The Daily...2/7/2012 5:15:14 PM

Here's a practical question: how will podcasting work? One thing I'm frustrated now is how Midmorning keeps getting broken into smaller pieces--it's a podcasting nightmare! Could distinct segments at least be broken up like Talk of the Nation does?

by Jasper2/7/2012 5:15:39 PM

@Andy - we've bantered about the pun potential. While we hope to have a more conversational tone, we also don't want to sound goofy. Ideas are welcome, of course.

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:16:10 PM

@Jasper At the moment, the plan is for you to sign up for one Daily Circuit podcast that will arrive as three one-hour segments a day.

So glad you like the focus on medicine and social issues, books & music. Not going away. More, more, more.

by Kerri Miller, The Daily...2/7/2012 5:17:25 PM

From an earlier email:

"I really enjoy Kerri Millers Book Club - hearing authors speak. I would like to hear more stuff like this…… till want to see/hear author visits, books reviews, etc. I have read some outstading books that Kerri has recommended that I might not of otherwise even heard about!! Kerri does an AMAZING job, and I look forward to hearing more from Tom."

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 5:17:29 PM

Richard Schuster on FB would like more stories w/ an international theme (I agree!) and he writes "Personally I don't care for the book club." - Richard, on this one... the book club is staying!

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:18:17 PM

Please don't make it into a radio version of Almanac. While I love Almanac, I don't need to hear it again during the week. I love hearing about subjects such as science, medicine, women's issues, criminal justice, education, etc. I kind of get burned out on politics after a while:)

by Wanda Holmgren2/7/2012 5:18:23 PM

Daily Circuit Books- going to be great. I'll make a weekly book pick and we'll have an individual web page where book-lovers can interact among themselves.

by Kerri Miller, The Daily...2/7/2012 5:19:05 PM

@Wanda Holmgren - thanks for the comment. We intend to maintain our dedication to political coverage, but we also want to capture exactly what you wrote. Let's branch out and discuss other topics, too.

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:19:09 PM

@Stephanie: Can the descriptions be adjusted to be more reflected of the content then? Current descriptions give no indication that a second topic is discussed for the last 15 minutes. I find this highly frustrating when catching up on what I missed--or trying to go back and find something (especially, to share with friends).

by Jasper2/7/2012 5:19:27 PM

@Jasper We'll work on that. I hear you. I get so frustrated with Fresh Air and other programs that I listen to on podcasts don't keep their text descriptions up to date. It makes me feel they don't take podcasting seriously.

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 5:20:31 PM

Good point on where we're putting the longer and shorter segments. I think we'll be calling our "deeper dives" on subjects--"In Depth"--so you'll know when you hear that that it's a 35-45 minute segment. But--you;re right. More details on that needed. thanks.

by Kerri Miller, The Daily...2/7/2012 5:21:27 PM

@Kerri: Regarding experimentation, what is the fail safe? What if this new endeavor completely fails? How will success, improvements, progress be measured? Will another live chat be hosted after the first week or two to gauge feedback? As you can tell, I'm REALLY worried about this. (Then again, I listen to too much radio as it is, so perhaps this will really be a favor.)

by Jasper2/7/2012 5:22:00 PM

@Stephanie: Great, thanks!

by Jasper2/7/2012 5:22:09 PM

Lots of people have noted a desire for more coverage of x, y, and z. We want to hear that, and also give us specific ideas for guests and/or topics. In addition to saying "let's hear more science," we hope you'll suggest specific topics w/in science. Leave that comment here or on our new Daily Circuit blog.

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:23:39 PM

Jasper: I'd love to meet you in person. Excellent questions. I think we'll hear from our audience--we'll look at listenership and membership--and yes, another live chat is coming after we launch. And: You can never listen to too much radio!

by Kerri Miller, The Daily...2/7/2012 5:24:04 PM

From an earlier email:

"Vocabulary word of the day would be fun...origin, a little history, used in a sentence(s), variety of languages ....share with two people.

"Song of the day.....all types...again, a little history, type, take offs. Humorous story from the audience.

"Keep the in depth news and information - you are the best station in our area for quality programs, but three hours will be a challenge that you will help you design a great format. Follow your intuition and heart - be bold."

by Stephanie Curtis, MPR News2/7/2012 5:27:27 PM

I like this comment from an earlier email: "Follow your intuition and heart - be bold."

by Tom Weber, The Daily Circuit2/7/2012 5:28:46 PM

Thank you all for listening. I love MPR, but I worry about some ostensible "group think" and its potential adverse effects. (For example, "NewsQ"--who thought that was a good idea? Glad that mistake was corrected!)